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Sir Bobby Robson - An Irish Perspective

If you're Irish, chances are you'll have two abiding memories of the late Sir Bobby Robson, says Patrick Reilly...

Aug 5, 2009 9:12:35 PM

Sir Bobby Robson (PA)
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Sir Bobby Robson (PA)
And what are the memories?

His dazed expression on the touchline at Euro '88 after a wee Scot headed in the winner for the boys in green who were coached by an fellow native of the North East. Ray Houghton's early goal was the start of a miserable tournament for Robson's England who were home before the postcards.
 
More recently Robson was forced to defend ex-coach Steve Staunton on a popular Irish radio show after Ireland struggled to beat San Marino in 2007. Hordes of listeners rang in calling for the manager's head and it was suggested the FAI wheeled out an ill Robson to take the flak instead of the suits who hired the inexperienced coach. If that's true, even by the FAI's lamentable standards it was an extreme low.
 
For Robson, taking grief off angry fans was nothing new. Sure, the accents may have been different but the complaints were the same. After all, Bobby as he was better known, once had an English tabloid suggest he should be strung up at the Tower of London on treason charges after daring to take a job abroad before Italia '90! Not to mention the daily interrogations by the Catalan press during his stint at Barcelona.
 
Bobby's arrival on Irish shores in early 2006 to assist Steve Staunton was heralded by fans and media alike. We'd enjoyed the good times with another charismatic Geordie in Jack Charlton and the public willed the old pro on to help Ireland's most capped player who was currently surrounded by question marks. Sadly his declining health and Staunton's poor judgment ensured it was an embarrassing footnote to an otherwise impeccable career.
 
As a cub reporter covering my local team Drogheda United I was dispatched to interview Staunton when he pulled into town shortly after he landed the top job. Stan was suspicious of the media who queried his appointment so good quotes were as rare as hens teeth. That is, apart from when he spoke of Bobby and the then 73-year old's continuing enthusiasm for the game.  
 
"Bobby's on the phone all the time. I know he's always there if I need to speak to him about something and we're keeping tabs on all the Irish players," said Staunton in February 2006.
 
Staunton added his own personal tribute last week, "His knowledge of football was outstanding but he was always a modest and gracious man who would go out of his way in many different ways to help people. He never wanted to let anyone down and I remember him trying to get on planes that even I was trying to persuade him he shouldn’t take."
 
If Robson had any doubts over Staunton's credentials to coach his country then he never broadcast them. On the contrary, he suggested the young coach should be given more time and was appalled at the media coverage when the manager's father was seriously ill. As a man who battled cancer five times, Bobby naturally sprung to his protégé's defence at what he saw as unjustified personal attacks during a difficult time.
 
Going on the 'Liveline' radio show, which is an institution in Ireland, to defend Staunton after a narrow win over San Marino was vintage Bobby. Host Joe Duffy said the FAI put Robson up instead of Staunton or Chief Executive John Delaney. Clearly struggling, Robson stood by his man when agitated callers suggested Stan's team had no pride and shouldn't be playing at Croke Park. In the midst of the furor he even revealed he often spoke to Staunton by mobile during games and said that he was a "fine man."
 
The FAI emerged from the episode with an even more battered reputation while Sir Bobby retained his dignity and decency. Those were traits associated with him all throughout his career. For instance, how many times has the word gentleman been used in the many obituaries in the past week?
 
Sir Bobby came to Ireland too late and never enjoyed the level of affection experienced by another Englishman who crossed the channel. But he certainly would have found it humourous when Jack Charlton's tribute on Sky Sports News was interrupted by the family dog barking during a live interview.
 
"The postman just arrived," Charlton exclaimed.
 
He then added, "I liked Bob - he was a good lad, a good friend of mine."
 
Robson was also a friend of football who will be greatly missed.

Patrick Reilly, Goal.com
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